Centrifugal fixture



Patented May 26V,

UNITED vSTATES assenze vPA'rEN'r clerics.

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESN ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 CENTRIFIX CORPORATION,

DELAWARE.

OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF CENTRIFUGAL FIXTURE:

Application filed November 28, 1924; Serial No. 752,718.

oration, and throughout the arts of lfluid' purification and rectication, as. by kseparators, it is both assumed and desired that the fluid evolved or treated shall leave the drum or container in a pure state, free from foreign substances, such as heavier liquids and solids. But as a rule the conditions controlling and modifying the operation in some measure defeat this'primary expectation and purpose, and, eventuate in producing or permitting the escape of impure fluids.

The present invention comprises a centrifugal fixture; that is, a device which does not itself move or rotate, but nevertheless reliably induces a strong centrifugal action within the escaping or discharged fluid and whereby the foreign substances are certainly and definitely removed from the flowing or escaping iiuidand either lreturned to the container or discharged externally if it be desired to rid the container thereof.

The objects of the invention are to perfect such processes of purification and to.

provide'the simplest and most reliable device or apparatus for the performance of .the perfected process. These objects and the specific character of the invention will presently appear in'further detail.

The invention will be readily understood on reference to the drawings which form part of this specification, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical section of a steam boiler, drum or the like equipped with a centrifugal fixture 'embodying this invention. Fig. 2 1s an enlargedcross section thereof substantially on the line 2+2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the centrifugal fixture, partly in section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4- is a horizontal section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 islike unto-Fig. 4, differing only as to the shape of the tuyreblades. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the device modified by the inclusion of the depending guard or hood, and Fig. 7 is a like view illustrating an upstanding guard or hood; and also shows how the two main members of the device are fastened together. Referring to Figs. l and 2, 1 represents the pressure drum, 2 the liquid level therein,

v3 the-outlet opening and 4 the nozzle proper. It will be seen that the otake pipejll joins the nozzle. The end of the drum contains the usual-manhole l', with its cover-plate l". But for the presence of the novel apparatus comprising this invention, the fiuid or vapor leaving the steam space' or other chamber 5 would pass directly to the nozzle 4. Instead, this novel apparatus, tliough composed of parts all of which are stationary, that is non-rotative, subjects the escaping fluid to a rapid -whirling action. In consequence of this rapid whirling' action all lsubstances heavier thanthe fluid` are quite effectivelyseparated therefrom, and,

just before the fluid leaves the outlet, are completely separated therefrom.

In its best form the apparatus comprises two main portions, to wit, the top member 6 and the bottom member 7. The upper part of the member 7 fits into the bottom of the member 6 and most conveniently the parits are fixedly, though separably, attached one to the other as by means o-f a plurality of bolts 8 and pressure clips 9, see Figs. 3 and 7. It may be at once explained that as the parts must needs be introduced through the manhole 1" they must be of a size lto permit such introduction. The device as a whole primarily takes its size from that of the outlet 3 to be served. Manholes are of standard size. The smaller sizes ot this apparatus may be introduced intact, but the larger sizes must be made' in separateparts, and devices4 of the largest sizes, though rarely requiring top members 6 which are madein two parts, usually are fitted with lower parts, i. e., tuyere rings 7 which, for convenience of introduction, `are made in two parts.

The top member 6 is of generally circular form and is hollow. It is preferably a metal casting, so that all its portionsmay beintegral; thus it is provided with the ears 8 for the bolts 8; with the upstanding portion 6a; with the tangential nozzle portion 6l, and with the oppositely extending supporting arms or brackets 6. The latter contain slotted openings 6d and receive the bolts l() by which the member -6 is bolted tol or against the'top of the drum 1.

It will now be apparent that the member 6 is essentially a hollow ring. .The upstanding part 6a is a collar, which is larger than the outlet 3 of the drum.. Its top is shaped l to fit against the top of the dr-um and make a tight joint therewith. Indien ofa joint at this` point-.the jointmay be established between the top of the member 6 andthe nozzle 1, as by means of 4a short nipple or sleeve, such asis shown by the dotted`lines 1 1 of Fig. 2. The nipple seats against the f 'ist-he sti-ll larger annular cavity or centrifugalrace 6g, the bottom 6h of whicl is beveled or coned to merge with the margin of the large Iopening 6. The portion 6i, forming ,the top ofthe cavity 6g, surrounding the -outlet opening 6e, 'markedly overhangs the larger' opening (if. AA slight inclination downward toward the center mayor-may not be given `the annular top surface '61. Within the portion 6P is the tangential dischargenozzle 61, the walls of which intersect the periphery of the race 6g and tangentially merge therewith. A pipe nip le 6k in the vpart 6b completes the top mem er 6. It rei mains, however, to be noted that the annular bottom surface 61 of Athe member 6 contains a seat br centering sink, which conveniently -receives the top of the lower member or tuyre 7. y

A discharge pipe 12, jointed at 12 to the nipple 6k of the member 6, leads downwardly therefrom. This pipe may terminate with .an open endnear the bottom ofthe drum,

but preferably leads -out through the 'end of the drum and is connected with an automatic discharge trap 13, see Fig. 1. The function of the pipe will'beexplained hereafter in4 connection with the operationof the complete apparatus.

VThis present invention, lwhich embraces various like structures by whichihegileiined'" purposes vmay be attained, comprehends theemployment of tuyres, i. e. rotation inducing members, ofdiffering constructions but all generally typified by the member 7 herein illustrated. Said member 7, as here shown, is made up of a top ring 7a.,- a plural- Lityv of angular or tangentially positioned l'plate or disk 7.

'blades substantially conform to'or meet an tuyre blades 7b and an imperforatebottom The inner edges of the imaginary cylinder, indicated by the dotted circles 7c1 of Figs. 4 and ,5. This is true also .member 6. Tuyre blades of either the overlapping arrangement of Fig. 4, or the non- `lapping arrangement of Fig. 5 may be used. Being tan ential vto the aforesaid imaginary cylinder, th lpresent tangential .impact surfaces to the `incoming fluid. The arrangement of Fig. 4 possesses the advantage of both forming and 'directing the entering streams upon the tangential impact 'surfaces. A'common advantage flows from the fact that the blades form long and relatively thin slots ortuyre openings 7 f and hence, collectively, subdivide the iluidinto many 4thin streams that substantially parallel the aXisof the tuyre ring.

The remaining feature, structurally considered, comprises an optional' guard or hood which may or may not be used to prevent'. the dashing or splashing 'of slugs 4of liuid against the tuyre ring 7. This guard is shown in tw'o forms. In Fig. 7 it appears as an. inverted pan 7e; being either combined with orattached to the top ring 7a,vor the top casting. culties of side splashing and squirrel-caginfr in the drum. The hood orl guard of Fig. r comprises sides 7f upstanding from the tuyre bottom 7, and' .is open at the top. Obviously the hoods surround and in large measurev defend the-open tuyres 7* of the tuyre ring.

Being of little-altitude and being sus- It servesto obviate the diii pended from the top of the drum, it l'is obi vious that the bottom of this centrifugal 'xture is well removed from the agitated sur-face of the liquid in the drum. The vvelocity of the emergence of the fluid at the nozzle varies with the difference of pressure within and without the drum. In practice theseivelocities are high.

In aggregate area vthe many tangential tuyres 7 x equal, or approximately equal, the area of the outlet opening in the top of the member 6. `For some uses the aggregate area may be considerably less, whereas in other uses, where it is essentially desirable to avoid an arbitrary or artificialdrop of pressure, the aggregate vtuyre area may considerably exceed the area ofthe central -ontleti'atthe topof the fixture.

Approaching the fixturethe vapor or other fluid impacts its surfaces. Finding exits between the)` tuyre-blades and directed by the outer surfaces thereof the.r fluid is formed into the described relatively thin streams. These streams obviously enter the substantially cylindrical tuyre ring tangentially and encountering the annular arrangement of blades, combine to set up a very rapid whirling action within the tuyre ring and the' top member ofthe yfixture. On entering the tuy`ere openings the streams of fluid forthwith engage or impact the inner surfaces of the tuyre blades. Those 'surfaces being preferably tangential in position, conform to the norvmal angle of incidence ofglobules of liquid or particles carried by the streams of fluid. Due to this favorable position and relation the impact is non-disturbing in its ell'ect upon the progress of such globules and particles and instead of being swept away they are virtually left or retained upon the inner surfaces of the tuyere blades. The accumulation of such impurities is proportionate to the quantity thereof present in the fluid passing through the fixture, and, as the deposit takes on the general whirling action of the body of fluid 4within the tuyre ring, that very whirling action insures the retention of the accumulated substances at the periphery of the whirling body, that is, on the inner periphery of the tuyre ring. As will be apparent, the general movement of the whirling bodv withinthe tuy`ere ring is axially toward the outlet 6?. which affords a free passage for the purified fluid. The

upperward sweeping action results in lifting. vthe deposit of impurities toA the top of the tuyere ring and into the bottom opening of the race member 6. Arriving there,the deposit of impurities lis immediately forced outwardly by the strong whirling' action bf the body of fluid within the fixture, that is,

by centrifugal force. In this manner the heavier substances are positively and defilnitely removed from the main stream of fluid just prior to Ithe escape of the fluid at the outlet. And obviously the hea-vier substances, whirling at relatively high velocity in the vrelatively remote race 6g, are successfully retained inthe race against possible removal by the outward sweep of the fluid. Indeed. the very effort of the fluid to escape. longitudinally through the opening, irrespective of whirling action, tends to crowd the heavier substances into the remote parts of the immediately adjacent race.

Once arrived in the race the heavier substances whirling therein immediately encounter the substantially tangential peripheral discharge opening or nozzle 6j and leave the fixture through that avenue.

Sufficient force is accumulated by the heavier substances to carry them well into the discharge pipe l2. This. added to the elevation of the fixture. admits of the return of the heavier substances .to the, under-surface,portion of the fluid in the drum. Genorally. however, it is preferred to get rid of the. foreign substances by discharging them from the drum, as indicated in Fig. The

function of the trap 13 is to prevent the' free` escape of fluid from the drum and yet provide4 for the collection and intermittent discharge of the foreignl substances. I

Having thus described my invention, Iv

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The process of purifying fluids that con- `sists insetting the fluid into motion toward Apermitting a marked lateral expansion throughout the circumference of the whirling action immediately adjacent and in unobstructed centrifugal communication with. said outlet and thereby laterally removing said substances from the fluid and from the margin of said outlet, and, completing the state of separat-ion at aI point immediately adjacent said outlet and so removed from the outlet, while permitting-thc purified fluid to depart through said outlet.

`2. The process of purifying iluids that consists in causing and localizing the rapid rotation of a stream offfluid beneath au outlet prior to the exit of the fluid through said outlet while permitting the steady upward flow of the fluid, permitting a marked lateral unobstructed centrifugal expansion throughout the circumference of the whirling action immediately below said outlet and thereby laterally removing from the fluid the heavier substances, while permitting the purified fluid to rise through said outlet, and, discharging the heavier substances at a point directly beneath but laterally remote from said outlet.

3. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising, in combination, a hollow ringl member and an internally smaller coaxial tuyere ring portion adapted to whirlingly direct the fluid into and through said member, said hollow member having a stillk smaller central outlet vaxially remotefrom said tuyre portion Dand also having a peripli'eral discharge nozzle. A

4. A Acentrifugal Huid purifying device comprising. in combination, a hollow top member and an internally smaller coaxial tuyre ring portion beneath said member and adapted to' whirlingly direct the fluid into and upwardly through said member, said hollow member havinga still smaller central outlet in its top and lalso having a peripheraldischarge nozzle.

5. A centrifugal fluid purifyingdevice comprising, in combination. a hollow ring 'member and a smaller coaxial multiple tuyre member, closed atfthe end remote from said hollow member and adapted to whirlingly direct the Huid into and through said member, said hollow' member having a still smaller central outlet axially remote from the tuyre member and also having a peripheral discharge nozzle.

. 6. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising a fixture casting containing a small and a large central opening and a larger intermediate race chamber, in combination with an annular multiple tangential tuyre member having a closed bottom an i and attached to the bottom of said casting and opening directly into said raceA chamber, means fasteningthemtogether, and, a discharge nozzle leading from the v periphery of said race chamber.

7. In a device of the class described, an

internal .race member having a central outlet in its topv and a peripheral discharge nozzle an also provided with' an upright collar forjointure `With the wall of a'container,V in combination with means` for clamping said member and collar endwise against said wall, 'and a multiple 'tangential tuyre member adapted to whirlingly direct fluidl into said race member and axially toward the outlet therein.`

8. In a` device of the class described a race member having a peripheral nozzle and avcentral discharge'outlet opening in I combination with a multiply tuy`eredmember adapted to Whirlingly direct luid intosaid racel member and the plurality'of bolt secured clips serving to fasten said members together. i I i 9. A-'luid' container'or drum havingan outlet in its top in combination with 'a centrifugal-lnid purifying device attached to said top atsaid outlet opening and characterized by a collecting race immediately below said outlet, and a discharge pipe leading from the periphery ofsaid race.

1 0. In a device ofthe class `described a tom tuyre member, said race member having "a central outlet and a peripheral discharge nozzle and a hood or' guard partially enclosing said tuyre member.

11'. The centrifugal iluid purifying dcvice comprising a part containing a small ing a peripheral discharge nozzle, in comvtop race member in combination with abotlarge opening in said part, a bottom mem-.

ber closing the other end of said tuyre ring, anda fluid container enclosing said tuyre ring.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto setl my hand this 24th dayv of November,

A. D. 1924. l

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY. 

